Bus Wars! Another Way to Get to NYC for a Buck
The dollar is really stretching these days . . . all the way to New York City.
Today, MegaBus announced that it will offer service between Washington and NYC, with rates starting at $1 each way. This adds some fire to the Battle of the Buses: On Thursday, BoltBus starts its $1 service.
Pound-pinching travelers in Europe might recall the name MegaBus. In summer 2002, the line started offering cheap seats throughout the United Kingdom. The Scottish company crossed the Atlantic in April 2006, landing in the Midwest with 17 routes. In August 2007, the Mega expanded to Los Angeles, offering service to San Francisco and Vegas, among others. Now, the company has put down its wheels on the East Coast.
Service between D.C. and NYC starts May 30. (The same day, the company will kick off routes between Manhattan and six other destinations, including Toronto, Boston, Atlantic City and Philadelphia--same rates.) The buses will depart from the Gray Line terminal at Union Station and drop off passengers outside Penn Station in midtown.
The new fleet will have WiFi, movies (G-rated blockbusters, so you can won't have to blindfold little Billy for four-plus hours) and reclining seats. The buses will run daily, 11 times a day in each direction. Seats start at $1 (plus 50-cent service charge online or $3 by calling 877-GO-2-MEGA). Depending on the day, time and demand, fares may increase to $3, $5, $8, etc., but won't exceed $21 one way.
Even better, between May 30 and June 5 , tickets are -- I have to scream it -- FREE. I definitely want to take a bite out of that Big Apple.
By Andrea Sachs |
March 25, 2008; 1:05 PM ET
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Posted by: EricS | March 25, 2008 2:07 PM
Thanks so much for this information--I've already booked a ticket for the weekend of May 30. It wasn't "free" though-- I had to pay all of 50 cents to book the fare. No candy bar for me this afternoon...
Posted by: Danielle | March 25, 2008 2:59 PM
Going up May 30th, back to DC on June 1. For $.50! Thanks!
Posted by: Leesburg | March 25, 2008 3:04 PM
The 50 cent fee was well worth it. I have a bunch of friends now traveling up the weekend of May 30. I just hope they dont overbook this bus and then people get screwed when they show up to go to NYC. That would not be the PR this company wants.
Posted by: Ryan | March 25, 2008 3:04 PM
I don't get it - how can they make enough money to stay in business?
Posted by: PQ | March 25, 2008 3:59 PM
You say "fares may increase" due to demand, etc. Does that mean sticker shock for those that "paid" a $1 when they get to the bus, or does that mean the price goes up as the bus seats are sold? I would think the latter. They could set the program to automatically increase the price as seat availability declines. So the last 4 seats or so are going to be selling for $21 ( or whatever the cut off point may be, maybe in groups of 10). A great deal if you live in DC, either way. It cost's me $74.00 for a round trip on Martz from Wilkes-Barre PA. Maybe if I spent a weekend in Philly ($54 RT on Martz)I could take a day trip to NYC? I think I will check that out!!!!
Posted by: rja112 | March 26, 2008 12:27 AM
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Wow. I may just have to go visit my friend's up there now